Multi-Channel Strategies: Don’t forget the phone!
Submitted by webmaster on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 13:25
Successful fundraising relies on multiple channels for communication, including face-to-face visits, telephone, mail, email, and social media. Each one with individual strengths and weaknesses.
There are many ways to use the phone effectively when stewarding donors. A prompt and warm thank-you call to new donors will enhance your chances of receiving a second gift.
In our present economy when each gift and each donor matters — perhaps more than ever before — you must work hard to keep the donors you have. Steward your donors with care, reporting back through e-news, printed newsletters, and phone calls. A teleconference is a great way to let donors hear directly from a program leader on successes of the year.
When donors lapse, and they will, you can once again use both phone and mail to renew their support. One of our clients began calling lapsed donors, in addition to mailing them appeals, in fiscal year 2009. Since that time, their lapsed donor renewal rate has increased 63%.